Interesting and fun facts about Luxembourg

Cultural facts about Luxembourg

From its medieval castles that whisper tales of bygone eras to the dynamic cityscape of Luxembourg City, where modernity meets tradition, we’ll unveil the hidden treasures of this captivating land.

National Day celebrates the Grand Duke's birthday

Source: monarchie.lu

In contrast to other nations where national holidays commemorate independence or pivotal historical revolutions, Luxembourg uniquely celebrates its National Day by honoring the Grand Duke's birthday. The date of this festive occasion has evolved throughout history, adapting to changes in leadership. In 1919, with the ascent of Grand Duchess Charlotte to the throne, January 23rd became the designated day for celebration. Subsequently, in 1947, it was officially declared a public holiday.

A significant shift occurred on December 23, 1961, when a Grand Ducal decree fixed June 23rd as the anniversary celebration date for practical reasons, allowing festivities to take place during the warmer summer months. This date has stood the test of time since then.

Luxembourg has six UNESCO World Heritage sites

Luxembourg's old quarters and fortifications, source: Wikipedia

Luxembourg stands proud with a total of six UNESCO World Heritage sites, each a testament to the country's rich cultural and natural diversity. Since 1994, the historic districts and fortifications of Luxembourg City have held the esteemed UNESCO designation, marking the beginning of the nation's UNESCO journey. Today, this small yet culturally vibrant country boasts a remarkable array of UNESCO recognitions spanning various domains, including World Heritage, Intangible Heritage, Memory of the World, Biosphere Reserves, and Global Geoparks.

Historic Districts and Fortifications of Luxembourg City

Designated as a World Heritage site since 1994, Luxembourg City's old quarters and fortifications showcase the nation's historical significance.

The Family of Man, Photography Exhibition

Recognized by UNESCO in 2003 under the "Memory of the World" registry, this legendary photography exhibition adds another layer to Luxembourg's cultural heritage.

Dancing Procession of Echternach

An annual event held on Pentecost Tuesday, the Dancing Procession of Echternach has persisted through centuries, drawing around 8,000 dancers each year. In 2010, UNESCO acknowledged its cultural importance by inscribing it on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Hauspeschbléiser, Musical Art of Horn Players

Originating in the 18th century at the French royal court, this musical art has evolved into a living tradition in various European regions. In December 2020, UNESCO recognized the musical art of horn players, honoring its instrumental technique and cultural significance.

Minett UNESCO Biosphere

Located in southern Luxembourg, the Minett region, or the "Land of the Red Rocks," has a rich history in iron mining and steel industry. In October 2020, it joined UNESCO's global network of Biosphere Reserves under the "Man and the Biosphere" program.

Natur and Geopark Mëllerdall

With a history dating back over 200 million years, this park reveals traces of an ancient sea. Recognized as a UNESCO Global Geopark in April 2022, it offers a unique insight into the region's geological history.

Show all

Luxembourg City has twice been named the European Capital of Culture

Source: gouvernement.lu

Every year, the European Capital of Culture title graces one or more cities, and Luxembourg City has had the honor not just once but twice. In 1995, the Grand Duchy's capital received this prestigious designation from the European Union, marking its debut on the cultural stage. A dozen years later, in 2007, Luxembourg, in collaboration with its neighboring regions, once again basked in the spotlight, showcasing its cultural wealth.

The nomination story is not that simple!

Luxembourg is one of the safest countries in world

If you're wondering, what is Luxembourg known for, one of the most common responses is its unparalleled safety. Renowned as one of the safest countries globally, Luxembourg boasts impressively low crime rates, encompassing a spectrum of risks such as political instability, war, homicides, kidnappings, and property crimes.

Historical interesting facts about Luxembourg

Now let's talk history, as we explore the unusual facts about the Grand Duchy's past. How many of those do you know?

Luxembourg is named after an ancient fortress

Photo by Dan Asaki on Unsplash

Exploring Luxembourg's fascinating history unveils a captivating tale rooted in an ancient fortress, making it a standout among Luxembourg's interesting facts.

Count Sigefroi, a noble from the Meuse-Moselle region, exchanged lands with the Abbey of Saint-Maximin de Trèves, acquiring a rugged promontory with a small fort known as "Lucilinburhuc" or "small fortress" in literal translation, likely dating back to Roman times.

This marks the earliest mention of the name "Luxembourg," though under its former appellation. Promptly, Sigefroi commissioned the construction of a more substantial castle on this site, laying the foundation for the town of Lucilinburhuc, later known as Luxembourg, to flourish.

Luxembourg has an impressive network of underground tunnels

Bock casemates, source: luxembourg-city.com

Unveiling a hidden world beneath Luxembourg, the Bock and Pétrusse Casemates stand as a colossal network of underground tunnels and vaults, etched into the rock, serving as integral components of the city's defenses. Dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries, these subterranean marvels stretched for many kilometers.

These Luxembourg casemates hold mysteries and, if they could speak, would recount eerie tales from an era when Luxembourg stood as one of Europe's most coveted fortresses. The defense system, delving multiple stories deep with galleries reaching depths of 40 meters, earned Luxembourg the rightful moniker of the "Gibraltar of the North."

In 1867, as a consequence of Luxembourg's neutralization, the fortress was evacuated and dismantled over 16 years. Despite efforts, the underground network, reduced to 17 kilometers, eluded destruction. Repurposed after losing military utility, during both World Wars, the Casemates du Bock and those in the Pétrusse Valley served as shelters, providing refuge for up to 35,000 people during alerts or bombardments. 

Luxembourg is a land full of castles

Vianden Castle, source: Wikipedia

Luxembourg's landscape, historically coveted by major powers, bears witness to its tumultuous past through a plethora of fortifications, now a treasure trove for history enthusiasts.

Notable among these are the majestic Vianden Castle in the northeast, the picturesque Beaufort Castle, the imposing complex of Larochette Castle in the Mullerthal region, and the formidable Bourscheid Castle nestled in the Ardennes.

It is true that the state of the castles varies, but in the last few years, the government has been gradually buying up the most important sites and restoring them. It's a great initiative because it not only preserves the cultural heritage that everyone loves to talk about, but it's also helping to give these places a second life.

Vika, Luxembourgish language teacher in interview with Luxtoday

Submit application

Curious economic and political facts (with infographics!) about Luxembourg

Well did you know that being the financial center of Europe, Luxembourg doesn't even have its own mint? Coins and banknotes come from neighboring countries. Read on to find out what other interesting facts we have found about this amazing country.

Luxembourg is one of the richest countries in the world

Another interesting fact about Luxembourg is its status as one of the smallest yet wealthiest countries globally. Despite its size, Luxembourg boasts the highest per capita Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the world, standing at $126,598. This places Luxembourg at the pinnacle, surpassing countries like Norway with $105,825 and Ireland with $103,311.

Source: Statista

The minimum wage in Luxembourg is one of the highest in the world

Luxembourg stands out globally not just for its economic prosperity but also for its commitment to fair wages.

This places Luxembourg among the countries with the highest minimum wages. As of 2022, the International Labour Organization ranked Luxembourg as the fourth country globally in terms of minimum wages, following New Zealand, Australia, and Switzerland, which claimed the top spot.

Source: International Labour Organization

Luxembourg is known to be a tax haven

Luxembourg has earned a renowned status as a tax haven, a reputation cultivated since the 1960s, making it an appealing choice for wealthy individuals and corporations. 

Current policies and issues with tax frauds

Recent years have seen significant policy changes in Luxembourg, such as the abolition of banking secrecy and active participation in international cooperation through automatic information exchange. Nevertheless, Luxembourg maintains a high level of financial secrecy.

The OpenLux investigation, conducted by Le Monde and other publications in February 2021, shed light on Luxembourg's characteristics as a tax haven. It exposed how multinational corporations and billionaires engage with Luxembourg to evade taxes using fictitious companies. Oxfam France, a leading organization in the fight against inequality and poverty, emphasized that the investigation revealed the exploitation of economic system loopholes by billionaires and large companies. They criticized the European Union for not including Luxembourg on its blacklist of tax havens, along with other European tax havens.Oxfam France suggests that the EU should update its tax haven blacklist and strengthen criteria to include countries with a zero corporate tax rate. In Luxembourg, despite the official corporate tax rate being 24.95%, various optimizations can significantly reduce the effective tax rate to as low as 1% or 2%, as highlighted in the OpenLux investigation.

The intricacies of Luxembourg's tax policies continue to draw attention, raising discussions about the need for more stringent international standards to address tax avoidance.